Every Alien Movie, Director's Cut & Short Film Ranked!

The Alien franchise has a long and spotty history - I break down the good, the bad, and the bloody as I take on each theatrical cut, director's cut, special edition and online short that's been released over the decades.
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[@hansgougar1874]

Dan, I love your commitment to being thorough and not just dismissing some projects as "not canon" or "just a short film so it doesn't matter". Keep it up!

[@tronam]

Hearing this breakdown really hit home how hard it is to turn a haunted house slasher into a franchise, especially one so iconic. Stick too close to the formula and it’s a retread, drift too far and people say it doesn’t feel like an “Alien” movie anymore. It probably never should’ve gone on this long, but they just can’t help themselves.

[@ther3aper561]

That's my thoughts exactly. Especially because you have what's considered the most terrifying monster in the universe, but you can't make it too action oriented because then it becomes too hoaky. Which, to me, makes Aliens even more unbelievably good

[@ziggy8253]

I truly feel that the diner scene in “Spaceballs” (1987) should have been part of this list, because it is as much a part of the Alien fascination and, dare I say, story as the rest of the short films. I think it’s canon. There is a xenomorph out there in the universe that only wants to sing show tunes.

[@motherplayer]

Almost seemed to happen in "Alien: Covenant". The xenomoph popping out of the guy's chest and just standing around taking in it's long limbs. It really was THAT damn close to straight up feeling like something out of "Spaceballs" unironically.

[@alexsilva28]

I mean if that weird Isolation series I've never heard of made it, then why not

[@mediamaniac898]

One of the best parodies! And while I go back and forth with which one I like better Aliens or Alien, I prefer the Special Edition of Aliens because Sigourney Weaver losing a daughter gives her a MUCH better arc!

[@FlagCutie]

Agreed lol

[@T_R_O_Y_McClure]

I always imagined he made a killing on his one man road show.

[@Marksman3434]

I know you're not a video game guy, but you should give the actual Alien Isolation game a shot. It's one of the best pieces of media to come out of the franchise, and easily the best one in the video game format.

[@alexsilva28]

@@Madferit91 Yeah, specially Isolation. Not a good starting point for someone that doesn't play games

[@davedujour1]

I haven't finished Alien Isolation, but what I have played is excellent. If you want another great Alien franchise video game, play Aliens: Dark Descent. In the way that Alien Isolation is like og Alien movie, Dark Descent is controlling a squad of Colonial Marines dealing with a xenomorph outbreak. Completely different than Isolation and equally as good. Not a first person horror game, it's real time squad-based tactical game, and it gets the adrenaline and fear going so well. That bioscanner beeping still haunts me.

[@cretinousmartyr3522]

I think maybe at least watching someone play it would be a decent experience, it is a pretty video gamey video game, it's been awhile but i don't remember the game explaining much, so someone who doesn't play games might get stuck or frustrated.

[@The_RedVIII]

Alien Isolation has amazing atmosphere, but personally I hate games where I have an invincible enemy following me, that is faster than me and can kill me one shot. And at first you can't defend yourself at all. Also, the whole game is very "happened by chance" with unpredictable enemy AI and it doesn't feel great. I didn't even mention the fact that it takes a very long time until you even first meet the Alien and as far as I remember the androids were also kinda annoying. Great atmosphere though.

[@kevinschultz6091]

@@Madferit91 - eh, there's something to be said for "you can see quality". I don't care for Country Western music, for example, but I can appreciate Johnny Cash's American recordings. Same with Reggae - I don't seek it out, but it's super-easy to see that Bob Marley's Legend is an excellent [greatest hits] album. With that in mind, Alien: Isolation is currently sitting at 79 on Metacritic - I would put that at "it's good, but not necessarily a definitive entry into the genre". (For that, I would generally need to see scores in the high 80's, at least.) In looking at Metacritic's "best of 2024 so far", I would say that Minishoot Adventures (indie OG zelda-style shooter game, but with spaceships) and Ballatro (what if poker was a roguelike) would be the two I would start with as an "intro to video games"; maybe the re-make of Paper Mario: 1000 year door (although I've never played it, I've heard its fantastic.) Obviously that's not an Alien game (and thus getting away from the original question here), but rather I mention them as examples of what I would expect the minimum quality to be for the scenario of "what if someone doesn't like video games?" But yeah - while I disagree with your general stance, I agree with it in the specifics here. Alien: Isolation is a good game, but not good enough for someone who isn't into video games to really appreciate, IMO. (Although there MIGHT be the "it's a good Alien game", which may get someone who likes the franchise, but not video games in particular.)

[@pizzatime_guy]

The Crossing being cut from Covenant was honestly so head scratching. Literally leaves massive plot threads hanging. I wasn't mad on Prometheus, but I do remember being so confused during Covenant about what happened in between with David and Shaw. Very odd choices made. 😅

[@alexsilva28]

Plp where furious about that lol. I remember all the Prom fan boys feeling rightfully betrayed

[@grandmoffporkins]

Fully agree. Prometheus had problems but it was enough of a start. Covenant could’ve made good on all those promises and it totally didn’t for me. Then finding The Crossing and Advent on the disc later.. my jaw has rarely dropped for a short film. I couldn’t believe this had been cut. And now… maybe we’ll never get the conclusion

[@Renoistic]

I think that watch order at the end is horrendous. Almost as bad as watching the Star Wars movies in numerical order. I would just recommend people to see any available version of 1, 2 and 3. Then watch any other movie that you're interested in. I have a soft spot for 4 but it's not really necessary viewing...

[@thats4thebirds]

The Peter Weyland Ted talk is an all time promo short. One of the most memorable I’ve seen for any movie.

[@mateofantasma]

Indeed! I remember it more vividly than I remember Prometheus itself

[@michaeltylerable]

Dan, I appreciate how much effort and time you’ve put into this video. Being such a big, lifelong fan of the franchise as I am, this was thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining to watch. I love how you ranked basically all “Alien” content. Bravo 👏 I'm also glad you finally got to see the shorts of the franchise. There's some surprisingly great stuff there.

[@lionspawfilmandphoto]

Your ranking is significantly different from mine, but I like how well you articulate what parts of which movies you appreciate. It gives a great image of how you enjoy movies.

[@OrionInSpace]

I am still very patiently waiting for someone out there to tell me that Aliens vs Predator Requiem is their favorite Alien movie… it’s going to happen I just need to find them!😂

[@motherplayer]

The online space has shown me that people will stick up for the worst/medicore things in the strongest ways. You keep that ear to the ground, it's bound to happen.

[@killaxero86]

Its not my favorite, but it's in my top 4

[@OrionInSpace]

@@killaxero86 you are a madman, but honestly all power to you👍

[@snoogle20]

AvP: Requiem is the lone entity in this universe that makes me question, “Am I actually insane?” Because I’ve always thought it was perfectly fine. It’s not the best in either franchise, but I find it an adequate entry in both. I feel like each series individually has produced worse movies and, to me, the first AvP is the lesser mashup. But then I see how widely detested Requiem is and I wonder, “Am I broken?”

[@thetalentof]

It makes it into my top 5 - it delivers on Alien 3's original promise of having the xenomorph come to earth (check out Alien 3's teaser trailer for that), the kills made by the xenomorph are brutal and live up to the film's R rating, the characters are more likeable than Resurrection, AVP, Covenant, Prometheus and Alien 3, you have the 2nd most badass female lead of the franchise (my ranking would go Ripley>O'Brien>Shaw>Woods>Daniels) and Alien has always worked best within the slasher genre more than the action, nihilistic drama, goofy comedy, exploration adventure or philosophical genres.

[@jasonraschen1109]

Thank you Dan for taking the time to make this epic list. I actually have not seen most of the shorts and have put them on my “To Watch” list. Also, I paused this video and re-watched the Weyland Ted Talk. Soooo good. Again, I know you spent a lot of time on this. I appreciate it. You are awesome!

[@esoteric76]

LOVE this video Dan! That Sentry scene from the Director's Cut of Aliens is so good! (I definitely feel like Fede was nodding to it in a similar moment in Romulus)

[@karencoyle3011]

I'll never get over Alien 3. I'm bitter about that movie to this day. Alien 2 was so great, and I was SO excited to see where Ripley, Hicks and Newt went from there.

[@CMontgomeryBurns09]

I'm with you there. I found Ripley waking up from cryosleep alone, with no one believing her experiences *again* , so repetitive. Fans can reference the Assembly Cut all they like, but the movie is flawed beyond repair given the inherently unlikable supporting cast (Charles S. Dutton is the lone exception, while Charles Dance is killed off before he can impact the story) and bad narrative pacing. The theatrical cut feels like it's missing key sequences, but the AC is way too damned long and slow.

[@zenquantum1246]

Pick up the comic books and the adaptations of the original Alien 3 script. I think there’s an audio drama with both Michael Beihn and Lance Heinricksen

[@oops6876]

No matter how disappointed you are with it, David Fincher hates it more

[@LinkMarioSamus]

Yeah the only movies since then to lose me quickly and likewise never recover are Rise of Skywalker and Black Widow.

[@SullyStreams]

Great video, Dan! Love seeing Covenant above Romulus, I've been getting a lot of flack for having the prequels ranked above it on my list. My rankings: 1. Alien 2. Aliens 3. Prometheus 4. Covenant 5. Romulus 6. Resurrection 7. Alien 3 8. AvP 9. AvP: Requiem

[@southernfried19]

Excellent list. Switch Alien 3 and Resurrection around and that’s my exact list. I too liked Prometheus and Covenant over Romulus.

[@mccallosone4903]

there are two really excellent video games, that are more than just shooters, that really expand the alien lore. i highly recommend alien: dark descent (for aliens lovers) and alien isolation (for alien lovers). both are absolutely fantastic, and reasonably priced

[@benfranklin1533]

Based on Dan’s watch list order at 36:15, where would you place these games?

[@liamfarrier9271]

Isolation is after alien and dark descent after aliens​@@benfranklin1533

[@Qwazin]

Alien 3 Special Edition is such a gem. All of a sudden, it actually feels like a David Fincher movie. I don't even mind Hicks and Newt being killed off this time around, because it fits so well with the themes of how Ripley has basically descended into her own personal hell. I love how every character is just the worst person in the world trapped on this shithole of a planet, but the presence of the xenomorph kind of makes them all dig deep within each other to find some sense of morals, faith and solidarity between one another to try and make it out alive. It's a beautiful exploration of misery, whereas the theatrical cut is just miserable.

[@JMANB5]

Alien: Isolation is the best piece of media from the franchise after Alien and Aliens.

[@alexsilva28]

What about the comics and novels?

[@nickbrack4315]

Amazing game!

[@brucecrawford_17]

I guess it was good marketing back in 2017, but I remember thinking that I would’ve loved to have seen the prologue scenes in the Alien: Covenant film.

[@alexsilva28]

Nah, plp ridiculed and mocked them back in the day too and were confused as to why it wasn't included in the movie

[@brucecrawford_17]

@@alexsilva28 Yes, like I said, I wish the prologue scenes were in the Alien: Covenant film

[@alexsilva28]

@@brucecrawford_17 And like I said, nobody liked they weren't in the movie. So it wasn't good marketing like you said

[@Deanof316.]

I would rank Prometheus and Covenant higher personally, but I love your watch order and agree that Aliens Directors Cut deserves no 1 for sure, it's literally a perfect film.

[@SpedeVesku]

Personally (and without seperating the different cuts): 1. Alien 2. Aliens 3. Alien 3 4. Prometheus 5. AvP 6. Romulus 7. Resurrection 8. AvP2 9. Covenant

[@MatthewDakoutros]

I haven't watched Romulus yet but I agree with the list, except I would put Covenant at #5 and AvP second to last, or maybe above Resurrection.

[@oops6876]

Fair

[@ZachBobBob]

Not having AvP2 last is wild 😂

[@SpedeVesku]

@@ZachBobBob AvP2 is a dumb movie that knows it's dumb. Covenant is a dumb movie that thinks it's smart. That's the one thing AvP2 has over Covenant.

[@ZachBobBob]

@@SpedeVesku I guess I can get behind that reasoning

[@johnwaynemcclung8056]

I almost didn't click on this because I wasn't that interested in the topic, but this was a very cool and interesting analysis and recommendation! I've only seen the original Alien and Aliens, and I don't plan on watching anything else, but I enjoyed your comments on all of the films immensely. 🙂

[@Jayk129]

How about an honorable mention for “Alien: The Play”! What the kids of North Bergen High School did on a nothing budget is simply unbelievable. It’s hard not to shed a tear when you see the footage of Sigourney Weaver greeting the kids backstage at their encore performance. And personally seeing as how that encore performance was funded by Ridley Scott himself I’m fine considering it an official adaptation.

[@thedarkemissary]

1) Watch Alien 2) Play Alien Isolation 3) Watch Aliens SE That's it. Ripley's story. Her daughter's story. Her new family's story. Both women earn their happy endings.

[@michaelelmes2135]

Amanda Ripley doesn't have a happy ending she's lost in space

[@Batmanfan4life]

​​@@michaelelmes2135you clearly need to rewatch aliens again the special edition anyway because in it they explained that Amanda Ripley passed away 2 years before Ripley was found so no Amanda was not Lost in space although I do believe in the theory that Amanda Ripley never actually died of old age but that Weyland yutani actually froze her in hypersleep because she knew too much and they just lied to Ripley to get her to go to LV 246

[@ReQuiem_2099]

I'm pretty sure there's a "good xenomorph" that smokes cigars and is actually a synthetic in the comics. I think this deserves to be in cannon due to the sheer ridiculousness of it.

[@chet_inator_gator]

Yes haha, think his name was Jerry

[@mjlove07101996]

Prometheus is the quintessential example of underrated

[@pettespizzaparlor3245]

I enjoyed the use of the same synthetic model for the Science Officer in ROMULUS as in Alien. The fact that his character was melted by acid explains away deep-fake discrepancies, although i though it was a face mask. And it being the same WaylenYutani synth immediately told me that "this dude is a BAD GUY"

[@evgenkhersonets880]

Covenant higher than Romulus is insane!

[@Dobbsy79]

I guess it depends on what you’re looking for in a movie - Covenant (very flawed but very original ideas) VS Romulus (entertaining but essentially a ‘greatest hits’ of all Alien movies/pastiche). Romulus is essentially Halloween 2018.

[@TBarmor]

@@Dobbsy79 What are you on? Alien Romulus features tons of great new ideas! The zero gravity scene is genius, same with the facehugger body heat scene. Plus the use of teenagers instead of adults as the crew provides a refreshing take with great results. It does have callbacks but it doesn't lack in great and original ideas with 1% of the flaws convenant has.

[@CalvinCrack]

Covenant over Prometheus is insane!

[@evgenkhersonets880]

@@CalvinCrack also true

[@davidjames1389]

I actually agree with him. Romulus had boring ass characters I couldn't care less about and too many ridiculous story turns.

[@Mike-wr7om]

Alien (1979) succeeds for me, not because of plot, story, or character; its success, its appeal, in my opinion, is entirely due to mood, tone, and atmosphere. This mood, tone, and atmosphere are accomplished through art design, set design, costume design, lighting design, atmospheric effects (smoke, haze, etc.), texture effects (water droplets, sweat beads, industrial surfaces, etc.), and pacing (a meditative pace). Aliens (1986) has more action and spectacle, and is thus, in that sense, more entertaining, and perhaps more rewatchable, but Alien (1979) is more interesting to me because I see it as a kind of sci-fi tone poem, or an experiment in how far atmosphere, mood, and tone can carry a movie. And they carry it far indeed! [But some of the special effects do look like a man in a rubber suit to me, so that is one flaw that brings down my enjoyment of the film a bit.]

[@tiffanysandmeier4753]

I have some sentimental feelings for Alien Resurrection because it was the first one I saw. It is what got me to watch the older movies in the franchise.

[@KanLuxiang]

I am of the firm belief that Resurrection is the third best Alien film. And it can watched directly following Alien and Aliens, as the pertinent info from 3 is briefly covered. Sigourney Weaver has a lot of fun as a crazed part-human, part-alien clone, Winona Ryder gets to be a memorable synthetic, the Alien Queen evolves mammalian reproduction only to be murdered by the new human/alien crossbreed, and best of all, Brad Dourif gets to shout maniacally as a mad scientist.

[@gimmibox]

Although not official, Alien: MONDAY, an anime horror short was recently uploaded to KZbin and as a fan project it is phenomenal.

[@neillcaiger7714]

Awesome 😎 video 👏 Dan. So comprehensive and enjoyable and cant wait to find some of those shorts! Been meaning to rewatch the extended Aliens 👾 cut for some time now

[@kennymorelandiii9406]

Awesome video man this is an excellent breakdown of all things Aliens and even though im not the biggest fan of the movies ill definitely check these out as i love sci fi

[@DrVernSFC]

Looks like an Alien Covenant needs a Super-Duper, Limited, All-World Director/Editor, Platinum, Definitive Cut

[@johnnypopstar]

It needs redoing as Alien: Convent and be about some aliens who are nuns.

[@ScrupulousProd]

This was worth the wait I love your mega ranking videos

[@juicewick]

I love these ranking videos that you do. I had to stop once you u got to Romulus simply because i dont want to be spoiled. Ill come back and finish it when i have seen it.

[@carder_music]

I always appreciate how thorough Dan is. I didn’t even know there were alien short films, but the fact he went and watched every single one of them is fantastic.

[@yondie491]

I'm *SO GLAD* you mentioned the stupidity of the characters in Covenant. I've seen it four times and each time reinforced what I hated about it, and the vast majority of the things were rooted in the terribleness of the characters. Alien was space truckers. Space truckers making insanely stupid decisions in a heated moment is fine. Covenant is about the best of the best, an elite team that many of the hopes of humanity are resting on. And they're DUMBER than the space truckers. The one scene where someone makes the correct decision (keep the door locked) is immediately undone by their stupidity. And, of course, helmets... And there were other issues, such as the inciting incident being made possible because "Android starts to give order to the computer but the thing happens before android could finish its sentence"...... meaning "one computer couldn't talk to another computer because, for some stupid reason, it had to use vocals" ... yeah I just can't suspend my disbelief that much. Fassbender was amazing and there were some superb sequences. It's just the second worst of the main franchise in my eyes.

[@TinyDancerX99]

I really like your ranking videos What’s next? Bond? Planet of the Apes?

[@inawoodenhouse]

i would LOVE a PotA ranking video

[@yeahiagree1070]

I disagree - the theatrical cut of Aliens is better. Ripley having a daughter makes the motherhood theme too heavy handed, and effectively makes Newt some convenient replacement. Not to mention it raises questions of what tf Ripley was doing in the middle of space if she had a young child at home. The special edition even has an needless spoiler for there being an alien-queen. boo! The scene with Newt's parents lessens the tension of later scenes. The audience should be introduced to the Alien nest with the marines, not before. Also spoils the shock of seeing Newt's old school photo, and how she has changed to survive. The sentry scene is self-indulgent and far too long - it's fun to watch ONCE, but on repeat viewings it's grinds the films momentum to a halt. Cameron even re-uses reaction shots in that scene, it was cut for good reason. Just overall the film is already the perfect length - it is definitely NOT the cut to recommend to a first time viewer! Their attention will drift off in the first 20 minutes - I've introduced the film to many people, it happens every time.

[@motherplayer]

Agreed. I mean, I just don't know why a parent would go out on a job to make money. It's almost like it may go to supporting a kid or something. Though, I can give or take with your other complaints. I understand where you are coming from on those at least, even if I personally think seeing Hadley's Hope being thriving for a second and learning what happened was another example of Weyland-Yutani using obnoxious redtape to keep people uninterested in probing too much. And admittedly, the myster of how it happeed on a whole is still kept in tact, even with some of those additions.

[@theephi]

true, i only watch the theatrical cut of aliens

[@BoarderEthan]

100%. No where in Alien is it implied Ripley has a family. Also, the gender essentialism in Cameron’s feminism is so annoying. Ripley can just be a good person who wants to protect Newt. She doesn’t need to have been a mother to do that. It was rightly left out of the far superior Theatrical Cut. Aliens is overrated. And Romulus actually accentuates its implausibility. Why didn’t Weyland-Yutani take over the site of the derelict on LV-426? The whole shake and bake colony and needing Ripley for the mission and everything is just so dumb. The film is a technical and acting masterpiece and overshadows how dumb it is. Romulus further exemplifies this. The company WENT TO THE SITE OF THE NOSTROMO AND TOOK IN BIG CHAP. why wouldn’t they also control the derelict’s perimeter. Alien 3 Assembly Cut is better than Aliens.

[@TheMrHavish]

Yeah, I completely agree with all this. I respect the director's cut version and it's interesting to see the deleted scenes, but the theatrical cut is MUCH better paced and builds up the tension/drama better.

[@TheMrHavish]

@@BoarderEthan Yeah, I don't agree with this. I feel the Alien 3 Assembly Cut is overrated and I don't necessarily feel the added scenes improve the movie, but make it feel longer. You also don't care about the supporting cast in 3 like in the first two and the way they open the movie through a plot inconsistency (how did the alien egg get there) is frustrating.

[@ShaneRob93]

Dan Murrell: The Best to Ever Do It.

[@Dr._Mantis_Toboggan_Md.]

Covenant so high up is absolute lunacy.

[@paulmooney4654]

I know these large rankings take a long time to make so thanks for all the effort Dan, I was pleasantly surprised at your number 5 pick and agree with it wholeheartedly.

[@rochesterproducers8847]

I just watched Alien: Monday last night. So incredibly well done!

[@Chri228]

Does the Xenomorph dread Mondays in that one? 😂

[@rochesterproducers8847]

@@Chri228 Yeah a couple people do not have a good day in that one.

[@oscarbobo4733]

Romulus was so good, in my humble opinion

[@FoxCastleChild]

I have not seen special edition of Alien 3 yet. Sounds like I really need to check that out.

[@AP-Design]

I liked Prometheus. The main issue, I think, that it had was that it relied so much on having its questions answered in later films that it lacked enough to answer on its own.

[@SoundWaveChronicles]

Great Breakdown, Dan! I didn't realize how many shorts there were, so I will definitely check those out, as I am also doing a timeline rewatch of the Alien franchise again! Cheers 🥃

[@scotttaylor8462]

I love your rankings videos. I know you put in the work for these, and I appreciate your diligence.

[@rockytopbritt]

Unpopular opinion: I prefer the first AVP more than the Ridley Scott Prequels. I enjoy it. I think it gets a bad rap.

[@krlos2588]

Thank you! This is exactly whaty wife and I were looking for. I have watched all the alien movies but my wife's first alien movie ever was romulus then after looking and failing to find this list we just watched alien and aliens in hulu.

[@TBarmor]

Covenant above romulus is legit insanity! Dan critizes the movie so much based on one faulty cgi use and completly ignores the original and ingenious new sequences, plus the great new choice of using teenagers instead of adults in an alien movie and the amazing practical effects. So unfair, he really needs to rewatch the movie...

[@danajacobson3956]

Thank you, Dan. I didn’t know of all these shorts from the anniversary celebration or the promos for the more recent films. I look forward to looking them up later today.

[@TheGeekHeroes]

Top 4 1. Alien 2. Aliens 3. Prometheus 4. AvP

[@A.Pearson]

Finally, someone wo ranks the AVP films

[@rmarkley79]

Great video Dan, I had no idea they had this many shorts. Gonna have to look those up, thank you!

[@HamishMuir-f5g]

Great video - I really enjoy your reviews but this is one of your best Dan. It's hard to find ranked comparisons of different cuts of the films but this was thorough, interesting and clear. Would love to see more rankings of different cuts of films and/or assembled with deleted scenes like the Covenant prologues. Oliver Stone's Alexander?!

[@ConnerNielsen6]

Say what you will about Prometheus and Covenant, but the tone Scott delivers is incredibly impressive. Honestly surprised a major studio let him do something so nihilistic with an unrelenting feeling of all-consuming, existential dread. I prefer Romulus as a movie, but Alvarez wouldn’t have been allowed to do that.

[@ToyFiend]

The correct order to watch the movies is always in order of release date.

[@TepidShark]

Wreckage and Rage, the documentary about Alien 3, is very good. Fincher didn't participate but the people that are interviewed are pretty candid about where they screwed up and how they didn't put Fincher in a position to succeed from the start. Just be sure to track down the longer cut on the Blu-ray, the DVD version was censored because it made the studio look bad.

[@ConnerNielsen6]

Great work, Dan! Didn’t realize there was so many shorts. I remember loving the TED talk back in the day. Appreciated you going above and beyond with the watch guide. My personal ranking would look like: 1.) Aliens 2.) Alien 3.) Prometheus 4.) Alien: Romulus 5.) Alien: Covenant 6.) Alien³ 7.) AVP: Alien vs. Predator 8.) Alien Resurrection 9.) Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem But I have not seen the alternate cuts. I appreciate the deep dive!

[@iheardyourprayer2599]

Started a watch through with my family recently and i had forgotten to see if our versions were direcrors cuts so i was happy by the end of your video to realize that they were and we had at least watched your favorite version of your number 1 choice.

[@MrPancrasio007]

Reference quality transfer.👌 True 4K (fine grain structure preserved/pristine clean print), dazzling HDR highlights, beautiful wider color gamut, and superb atmos effects. Other studios take note!

[@LungsOutJem]

Short films? The f*ck? I've never even heard of these. Thank you, Dan.

[@LinkMarioSamus]

Catwoman director Pitof was the second-unit director on Alien: Resurrection IIRC. Your opinion on Romulus sounds agreeable. I thought it was decent for what it was but it was really just the Alien franchise’s equivalent of The Force Awakens.

[@thechewatson]

Really excited to seek out some of these shorts…thank you so much!

[@BlackSpearArtists]

Glad you enjoyed Ore!!

[@LesWalker2023]

Great lineup, Dan! I almost agree with you on the top 4. Really well thought out lineup!

[@pologoalie7]

As always, Thanks Dan! Though having seen these films likely more than I would like to admit, and having some quite different perspectives from yours, I think you did a great job ranking and explaining why. Keep it up my friend! Coming up on 10 years I have been following you. I have watched a lot of movie CONTENT on the tubes in those years. You have always been the genuine one. Real recognize real. Though I do miss those call in commentaries back in the day on Plus. My favorite franchise and you did it honor. Wouldn't change much myself... save put 3 and Prometheus well above Romulus. Maybe Romulus will pay off in time with 20 mins of missing footage in a Special Edition. One can only hope.

[@filmobsessednerd]

Dang… coincidentally I am also posting a video ranking the entire Alien franchise later today lol. I appreciate that you included the crossover films like I did but also other properties too with the short films stuff.

[@joshpenner5662]

I know I am in the minority, but I genuinely liked Alien: Resurrection. I had watched all the movies except this one because I always heard it was so bad, so my expectations were quite low. But I found its tone to be a really nice and fun shift from the other movies. It gave me a nostalgic vibe similar to other early late 90s and 2000s sci-fi, such as Riddick and Serenity.

[@sairentuhiru]

I think it is the most underrated movie in the franchise, I really love it. But maybe it's the Jean-Pierre Jeunet fan in me. Anyway, there's at least two of us, cheers! 😂

[@brannondunlap3408]

That final 2 had my blood pumping with anticipation Dan. I myself find it pretty much impossible to choose a fave between the first 2. Gun to my head i would have to go with Aliens not dissing Alien at all no way. I just love how Aliens blended not just Sci Fi and horror but the action was top notch as well.

[@robhws]

The Ripley Order. Very cool, thank you.

[@stateofflux3938]

I think you landed correctly with Aliens Special Edition. My ranking is a bit different. I did a rewatch of all of them for my channel and this is how I landed: 1. Aliens (Special Edition) 2. Alien Covenant 3. Alien 4. Alien Resurrection 5. AVP 6. Alien 3 (Either Cut as my main criticisms are in both versions but I agree the Production Cut is much better) 7. AVPR 8. Alien Romulus 9. Prometheus

[@chet_inator_gator]

Great video, thank you! My Ultimate Alien Watchlist for a new viewer start to finish: Alien (theatrical) Aliens (special edition) Enjoy two of the greatest films ever made 💙

[@PlaylistWatching1234]

You've gotta publish your Ripley order somewhere!

[@cactoidpinata]

Great rankings! I would have enjoyed if Batman Dead End from 2003 got an honorable mention for the shorts :)

[@imperialtutor8687]

You know you are watching a 90s horror/ gothic movie because it most definetely has Michael Wincott in it.

[@jacketernity4609]

This video made me realize just how much I want them to make special editions of Prometheus & Covenant. LoL. Great video as always!

[@nicolasmoyano_]

Aliens is my favorite one.

[@danjokess]

I really thought Alien was gonna be your number 1 movie so I’m a bit surprised. But still great list!

[@Jozhster]

Great vid Dan, appreciate you talking about the shorts too!

[@charno_zhyem]

While Aliens Special Edition did have key scenes that the original was missing, I prefer arriving at LV-426 without knowing what happened there. Aliens SE scenes with the colonists are completely unnecessary, and meeting Newt without knowing anything about her past is my preferred way of experiencing these movies. Out of 4 classic Alien movies, only Alien 3 really benefits from an SE. But oh my god, it benefits so much. I reference it so much in my own art, especially the opening (that was cut from the original Alien 3) and the arrival of the Weyland Utani, which still have the coolest futuristic outfits I can think of.

[@SpongeBobaFett]

Loved this list. Are you planning on releasing a The Crow review once the embargo lifts tonight?

[@DanMurrellMovies]

No, I won't be able to see that one.

[@goodwood-rc4nx]

the basketball scene was the first as the shot went straight in

[@TheLucasbuck]

Great video Dan! Alien is easily no.1 though and Prometheus only gets better with age. Funny watching all these Alien rankings videos and they're all so different bar AvP2 is always at last.

[@sammonroe882]

I think I despise any of the entries that imply the aliens were created by a robot from earth or already had been to earth.. it's much more horrifying to watch the first 3 films and just have it be that these giant space roaches are out there somewhere and... what else is out there like these or worse... but Fassbender is truly great in those movies and they are good looking movies.

[@FoxCastleChild]

Alien > Aliens > Prometheus > Romulus > Covenant > Alien 3 > Ressurection > AvP > AvP Requiem

[@EppyGibbon]

I appreciate your thoroughness, Dan.

[@NoCreamedCorn]

I think the only scene included in the aliens Director cut that prevents it from being 100% perfect is the scene with new her brother and her parents at the alien ship. Because from then on we know that she is alive and it’s sort of dissolves any tension when the marine unit arrives.

[@MichaelWutsch]

I mostly agree with your takes, mostly.

[@jessrl8025]

I just watched Romulus, and I agree with your movie rankings for the most part. I would have put Covenant lower on the list, but I've only seen it once. I'll give it another watch and add the shorts you recommended. I've only seen the Waylen TED talk short film, so I can't speak to that ranking.

[@craigwright1867]

I never realised there were so many other movie shorts out there, I'll have to check them out. I also didn't know that there was a third offering of Alien 3, I hope it's on the Blu ray box set, I know the Assembly Cut is. In regards to your list, I fully agree with it, apart from maybe placing Alien Romulus a little higher; I really did enjoy it. Aliens Special Edition is my all time favourite Alien movie and is actually tied in first [;ace on my all time list of favourite films with Taxi Driver. I reckon if the special edition had been released at cinemas Sigourney would have won the Oscar that year, the added context of what she had lost would have given more gravity to her portrayal of Ripley in regards to her relationship with Newt.

[@FaydOgolon]

I saw "Alien Resurrection" in theatres. I watched it again when the "Quadrilogy" was released. I suddenly realized that Joss Whedon had reworked Ron Perlman's character as Jayne in "Firefly." It felt like Whedon got his inspiration for the TV show from this.

[@allen604]

I love the TED talk. So much charisma in that performance. I liked it more than a lot of the movies on this list.

[@robynfuller3988]

I'd never seen any of those shorts- thanks for introducing us to them!

[@mateofantasma]

Until today I had not realized that the Aliens movie I saw the first time and remembered was the special edition and not the theatrical cut! My own personal ranking is: Alien (theatrical), Aliens (special edition), --- , Romulus, Alien 3, --- , Covenant, Prometheus, Resurrection, ---- and the other films are not really worth watching. Thanks for the mentions to the shorts, the only one I have watched and I vividly remember was the Ted Talk 2023, which I think was excellent. I will try and check out the other ones.

[@filmscorn1105]

David 8 is my favorite character next to Ripley in the franchise. It would be an honor for Michael Fassbender to close out his character's arc because the man is a talent. A Romulus sequel could be the place for it.

[@Little3Pigs]

Hey Dan, would you cover the topic of the animator's guild trying to reach a better deal for animator's working standards, and ai use in animation. I loved the coverage you provided of both the actors and Writers strike and I've seen little coverage around the animators status. Thanks!

[@JDE1995]

I don't understand how Dan thinks the theatrical cut of Alien runs more smoothly than the director's cut since the theatrical cut is actually one minute longer. The director's cut manages to add the very cool scene with Dallas and Brett hanging up in the little hive, while still being the shorter version.

[@jonathanlopez2697]

Prometheous at 8??? Trippin my guy.

[@Demanufactur3r]

I haven't seen any other fan cuts, but Prometheus: Giftbearer was the best one back in the day and on its own is a better movie van Prometheus, including loads of the shorts you mentioned earlier in your video. If you do want to give Prometheus another shot then check out Giftbearer!

[@sairentuhiru]

Never heard of it. Thanks, will give it a try!

[@Demanufactur3r]

@@sairentuhiru cheers!